Franklin Public School lunch improvements to highlight

Via the Franklin Public School's Facebook page, we share a couple of recent posts to highlight how creative the delivery of school lunch can be within the budget. Delivering healthy, locally sourced, and cost effective meals to students.

"Don't mind us, we're just reminiscing on last week's delicious marinated streak tips with asparagus and brown rice. Our Food Services team sources beef locally to ensure the highest quality is available to our students. This steak was sourced from MeatWorks out of Westport, MA.

The farms were Twin Willow Farm (Westport, MA), Howard’s Farm (West Bridgewater, MA), and Sunny Knoll Farm (Westminster, MA)"

delicious marinated streak tips with asparagus and brown rice

"The Food Service team does it again! Yesterday’s lunch at every school featured local Pollock caught just days ago off the coast of Chatham, MA. The fisherman was Captain Scott MacAllister on his boat, the Carol Marie fishing vessel. Thank you Red’s Best for the great traceability!

You can read more about Captain Macallister in this article: https://capecodfishermen.org/a-young-man-carving-out-a.../"

local Pollock caught just days ago off the coast of Chatham, MA

School Committee hears of summer learning, approves MOU with Cafeteria workers (audio)

FM #1036 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1036 in the series. 

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 as scheduled.  Five members were present (2 absent). The 5 provided quorum to enable official business. They did break for an Executive Session, and returned to open meeting to authorize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the cafeteria workers “as discussed" (in the executive session) before closing the session. 

Let’s listen to the School Committee meeting of August 8. The time they left the room for their Executive Session was shortened for airplay and replaced by a brief audio bit. The total meeting audio runs about 49 minutes.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1036-franklin-ma-school-committee-mtg-08-08-23

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School Committee page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

Franklin TV Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/iSxi_lTYFe4

You can find the full agenda doc

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_8-8-23.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QjbZCZ5vs2CHatsKM6MEUOBGdNiTFRs5/view?usp=drive_link

The Superintendent’s report and presentation are supposed to be posted to the packet folder the day after the meeting. As we go to post this, they are not yet public.  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/august-8-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

an update on summer learning was shared

School Committee hears of summer learning, approves MOU with Cafeteria workers (video)

The School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. The Franklin TV video is available for replay. For their second meeting in a row, they accomplished business (including an Executive Session) in under an hour. 

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/iSxi_lTYFe4

You can find the full agenda doc

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_8-8-23.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QjbZCZ5vs2CHatsKM6MEUOBGdNiTFRs5/view?usp=drive_link

 

an update on summer learning was shared

FHS Diversity Awareness Club schedules "Geo Night" for Wednesday, May 17 from 5 to 8 PM

To end this school year, the Diversity Awareness Club is hosting their annual Geo Night! 

Join them for an after-school event where attendees have the opportunity to travel around the world, exploring a multitude of cultural backgrounds represented at FHS. We're so excited to celebrate with our community!

Students will share different aspects of their culture, including food items, art activities, clothing items, and artifacts. 

In addition, there will be local speakers and performances throughout the night! Join us in the cafeteria on Wednesday, May 17th, from 5-8 PM. 

Entrance fee is $5! We hope to see you there :)

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CsKWgy_OmMC/

Senior Center Common Grounds Café Closed next Monday 9/19 and Tuesday 9/20 for Maintenance

Senior Center Common Grounds Café Closed 

next Monday 9/19 

and Tuesday 9/20 for Maintenance

Unfortunately we do have to close the Common Grounds café next Monday 9/19 and Tuesday 9/20. We are getting NEW TABLES AND CHAIRS! And the facilities department is also helping us out and cleaning and waxing the floor as well :) 

Sorry for the inconvenience!

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/news/senior-center-common-grounds-caf%C3%A9-closed-next-monday-919-and-tuesday-920

Senior Center Common Grounds Café Closed next Monday 9/19 and Tuesday 9/20 for Maintenance

The Senior Center's Common Grounds Café is Reopening On Monday, April 11, 2022

COMMON GROUNDS CAFE REOPENING ON MONDAY, APRIL 11!

We Are Excited To Announce The Reopening Of The Common Grounds Café On Monday, April 11,2022 For Breakfast And Lunch Daily. 

Breakfast 8:30-10:30 AM And Lunch 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

We Would Also Like To Introduce You To Our New Chef! Chef Anne Scungio Comes To Us With Many Years Of Experience Working In Commercial Kitchens, Supervising Staff, And Coming Up With Creative Ideas For Fun Recipes!

• We Are Doing A Small Meet And Greet The New Chef DIY Pizza Making Opportunity On Tuesday, April 6 At 10 AM. 
• Call To Register If Interested 508-520-4945.

We Are Excited To See Everyone!

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/news/common-grounds-cafe-reopening-monday-april-11th

The Senior Center's Common Grounds Café is Reopening On Monday, April 11, 2022

Senior Center Schedule Updates - Closed Mon (2/21) - Common Grounds Cafe open Tue/Thurs

Schedule updates for the Senior Center to be aware of:

• Common Grounds Cafe Open Tuesday & Thursday For Breakfast 8:30A- 10:00A!
• Senior Center will be closed Monday, Feb 21 for President's Day

Check out the February newsletter for other events and activities

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/feb_2022_newsletter.pdf

Senior Center Schedule Updates - Closed Mon (2/21) - Common Grounds Cafe open Tue/Thurs

COMMON GROUNDS CAFE OPEN TUESDAY & THURSDAY THIS WEEK FOR BREAKFAST 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM!

COMMON GROUNDS CAFE OPEN 

TUESDAY & THURSDAY 

THIS WEEK FOR BREAKFAST 8:30 AM -  10:00 AM!

The Franklin Firefighters are graciously volunteering their time to cook and serve breakfast at the Common Grounds Cafe on Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM. 

Hope to see you there! 

Masks and socially distanced are encouraged!

Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/news/common-grounds-cafe-open-tuesday-thursday-week-breakfast-830a-1000a

COMMON GROUNDS CAFE OPEN TUESDAY & THURSDAY THIS WEEK FOR BREAKFAST 8:30A- 10:00A!

Milford Daily News: The Birchwood Bakery and Kitchen to open before year end 2021

Milford Daily News has an article on the new café coming into where The Cake Bar was:

"New Franklin café to serve sweet treats and savory sandwiches at the former Cake Bar spot 

Read article here -> https://t.co/Erpdnor2Sv"

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/milforddaily/status/1467828182976016389

 “We definitely want (the café) to be a gathering place where people can come for a variety of reasons, like sitting down at the bar to enjoy some lunch and wine, grabbing a coffee and muffin to-go, getting family brunch with your kids where they can have classic French toast pancakes," said Salvador. "The main thing is that we want it to be an especially comfortable and cozy place for people to be."  

The Birchwood Bakery and Kitchen to open before year end 2021  (Federico Salvador photo)

Temporary Closing of the Common Grounds Café (Senior Center)

Temporary Closing of the Common Grounds Café 

(Senior Center)

It is with sincere regrets that we have to inform the members of the community that due to unforeseen staffing shortages, we will have to close the Common Grounds Café for the remainder of the week, November 30 - December 3rd.

This week, seniors will still be able to enter the Café and the senior center staff will work to provide free coffee and light refreshments. Unfortunately, there will no longer be any hot breakfast or prepared food at the café until next week. Citizens are welcome and encouraged to bring their own food into the café and continue to socialize.

Please see the attached notice for full details.

Shared from Town of Franklin -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/2021-11-29_senior_center_common_grounds_closing_notice.pdf

Temporary Closing of the Common Grounds Café (Senior Center)

“But if we can survive in this, we’ll do all right”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:


"Franklin resident opens the vegan-focused Nirvana Tea House & Café in Millis"

"Thirteen thousand feet up in the Himalayas, Franklin resident Ed Williamson, his hiking guide, a horseman and a cook set up and broke down tents across the mountain for 10 days last year. They never had to worry about finding a stranger living in a tent on that mountain in Bhutan who wasn't willing to invite them in for a cup of tea. 

That welcome over a cup of tea, remind Williamson of his childhood. 

“The tea was just a way to talk,” said Williamson, who grew up in Cork, Ireland, with a mother who lit a burner for the teapot whenever company was invited over. 

“Anyone that came to visit – the teapot went on," he said. "I grew up drinking tea; coffee was not something we drank. That whole (experience drinking tea with strangers in the Himalayas) reminded me of home.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200803/franklin-resident-opens-vegan-focused-nirvana-tea-house-amp-cafxe9-in-millis?rssfeed=true

https://nirvanateahousecafe.com/

Intermission Cafe presents Virtual Coffee Houses

During this time of social distancing, Intermission Cafe is collaborating with the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) to offer virtual entertainment and community. Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 4:00 PM on Intermission’s Facebook page, Intermission will host a “Virtual Coffee House” featuring live music by the talented students and alumni of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.

Intermission has previously hosted FSPA students and alumni to present pop, rock, folk, and contemporary musical theater songs in a coffee house format at the cafe itself. Intermission is opening its doors virtually to entertain customers in an interactive and engaging format of popular songs. Performers will converse with their audience sharing interesting facts and stories about the music and original artists they have chosen to perform.

To view the live and past Virtual Coffee House performances, follow Intermission on Facebook. Patrons can also follow Intermission on Instagram (@intermissioncafe). The cafe is located at 36 Main Street (rear) in downtown Franklin.

FSPA alum Griffin Wilkins and current FSPA student Caroline Wilkins

Jazz Cafe - FHS cafeteria - Feb 7

Jazz Cafe

Annie Sullivan, Horace Mann and Remington Middle Schools

and

Franklin High School Jazz Bands

Franklin High School Cafeteria
Friday, February 7, 2020, 7:00 p.m.

Adults $10.00, Children/Students and Seniors $5.00
(Family of up to 5 guests - $25.00, all additional guests - $5.00)

Light refreshments will be served

Come join us for an evening of great music!

Jazz Cafe - FHS cafeteria - Feb 7

School Committee Recap - August 27, 2019

The School Committee meeting on Tuesday, August 27 brought updates on the opening of school (everyone is excited to be back), a brief interruption for an executive session to approve another of the contracts with a bargaining unit (cafeteria unit) and a review of the revised District Improvement Plan (see link below).


Superintendent's report
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_august_27_2019.pdf

The new hire listing
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/new_hires_august_2019.pdf

The District Improvement Plan as presented and discussed during the meeting
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/discussion_actiona_-_dip_goals.pdf


For additional details, here are my notes recorded live during the meeting

• Live reporting: Consent agenda to closing

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/08/live-reporting-consent-agenda-to-closing.html

• Live reporting: Discussion / Action Items

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/08/live-reporting-discussion-action-items.html

• live reporting; school committee - executive sessi...

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/08/live-reporting-school-committee.html

• Live reporting: School Committee - Aug 27, 2019

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/08/live-reporting-school-committee-aug-27.html

Superintendent Sara Ahern reviewing the update District Improvement Plan

The school committee agenda was previously posted
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/08/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-aug_25.html

INTERMISSION is Open

"INTERMISSION is happily open and ready to serve you in downtown Franklin! Our new café is located behind the Franklin School for the Performing Arts in the newly renovated Felix Cataldo Block.  

Featured at Intermission are Elizabeth's Bagels and Muffin House Cafe's muffins, accompanied by Mills’ Coffees, Harney and Sons’ Teas and Nestle’s hot and frozen hot chocolate.  

The menu includes breakfast sandwiches, salads, wraps, sandwiches, beef and veggie burgers, chicken tenders, French and veggie fries, specialty flatbreads, mac ‘n cheese, soups and more!  

Delicious blended drinks, green and fruit smoothies and specialty frappes are available soon. 

Presenting a varied menu with healthy options, INTERMISSION is open Monday – Friday, 6:30 AM - 7:00 PM, Saturday 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM and Sunday, 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM.  

Our friendly staff looks forward to welcoming you to sit and spend some time or grab and go! Come downtown and pause at Intermission - a hip new café with an artsy vibe and an entertaining menu!"

entrance to INTERMISSION is from the back of the building facing the
Rockland Trust parking lot and Franklin Food Pantry

The Menu can be found online
https://www.facebook.com/pg/INTERMISSIONcafeonline/menu/

Visit the INTERMISSION Facebook page for additional photos and details
https://www.facebook.com/INTERMISSIONcafeonline/

“Every space can be a stage”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Amidst the regular smell of perfume and hairspray at the Franklin Performing Arts Center, now lives the new aroma of freshly brewed coffee, thanks to their latest addition The Intermission Café. 

Intermission held a formal ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday but will officially open its doors to the public on Jan. 2, 2018. The café is located behind the FPAC building at 15 West Central St. 

The café features a welcoming space that emphasizes the original brickwork of the 100-year-old building. With warm red accents and dark stained wood, Intermission is a cozy escape from the increasingly cold weather. 

“We restored as much of the brick as possible. I really fought for the floors. They’re the original floors and they were a mess,” laughed FPAC director Raye Lynn Mercer."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171215/franklin-arts-center-to-open-intermission-cafe

Intermission Café is located behind the FPAC building at 15 West Central St

Franklin School For The Performing Arts Celebrates Fall Expansion

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will expand this fall to assume the entire building of the Felix Cataldo Block in downtown Franklin. The renovation will connect all areas of the existing FSPA facility and provide spacious new dance and music studios, and a first floor waiting area for students and families. The expansion will also create and house Intermission, a new downtown cafe available to the FSPA community and open to the public.

“It will be exciting for FSPA to occupy the entire Cataldo Block and to have easy access throughout the building to all of our studios, offices, The Spotlight Shop, and the new Intermission café,” noted Raye Lynn Mercer, FSPA founder and director. “We look forward to FSPA’s updated presence in the downtown and the opportunity to provide a destination at Intermission where the public is invited to enjoy a menu of drinks and snacks in a space with an eclectic, artsy ambiance. Happily our beautiful old buidling is getting a facelift as we expand our performing arts campus.”

Founded in 1985 by Director Raye Lynn Mercer, FSPA is dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. The school offers classes in all dance disciplines, acting, musical theater, voice, and instrumental instruction, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study. FSPA is also home to the Little Music School, teaching children as young as 18 months to play the piano, as well as the FSPA Ballet Conservatory with pre-professional training for young dancers. 

An extensive calendar of performing opportunities features all-student musicals, plays, ballets, voice and instrumental recitals, opera scenes, dance and musical theater showcases, and more. Student ensembles include dance companies, glee club and musical theater troupes, as well as the international touring ensemble Electric Youth, featuring students trained at the school. Many FSPA students are also cast, by audition, in the affiliated Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual season of shows. FSPA TALENT offers management services for young performers who elect to pursue professional opportunities.

The added space at 38 Main now allows FSPA to offer more classes at optimum times during the week and to build upon several innovative programs launched over the past few years. FSPA Academy, introduced last fall, provides an academic alternative for students seeking a challenging curriculum in a supportive, flexible environment that encourages their creative goals. Provided Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in collaboration with TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School (TECCA), the FSPA Academy delivers TECCA’s state-approved online curriculum and features an enhanced emphasis on arts, language and culture, including Music Theory, foreign language conversation classes, cultural field trips and more. 

In addition, an FSPA AfterSchool enrichment program offers supervised recreational experiences, including games, crafts and other creative arts activities, for students in grades K-5. The program begins at the close of the regular school day, with transportation available from Franklin and Medway schools and supervised transition back and forth to FSPA for performing arts classes.

“As we begin our 33rd season, we look forward to welcoming new students and families to FSPA for fun and recreation or for preparation for college and career,” said Mercer. “With the renovation and expansion, it will certainly be a very exciting back-to-school season for our faculty, staff, student families, and our entire community!”

FSPA will host Open Houses on Saturday, September 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Tuesday, September 19 from 4-8 p.m. at 38 Main Street in downtown Franklin. The community is invited to tour the facilities, observe classes and rehearsals, speak with faculty and staff, and learn more about FSPA programs in music, dance, and drama. An early October grand opening is slated for Intermission.

Fall classes begin on September 11, with ongoing registration for all programs. Call (508) 528-8668 or visit www.FSPAonline.com for more information, including a catalog and class schedule.

Franklin School For The Performing Arts  Celebrates Fall Expansion

Franklin Senior Center: “Memory Café” on April 23

The Franklin Senior Center is hosting it’s first “Memory Café” on April 23 from 3-4;30 p.m. 

A memory café is a welcoming place for people with dementia and their care partners to enjoy time together and with others. The café is open to the community and is free of charge. 

There will be socialization, refreshments and often some form of entertainment at the cafés. 

At the April 23 café, Jamie Barrett, a local favorite singer and guitar player, will entertain with some “old fashioned” tunes the participants can sing along to. 

Call the Franklin Senior Center at 508-520-4945 and let them know you would like to attend!

Franklin Senior Center

For other programs at the Senior Center, visit their webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

or check out their newsletter
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/franklin-senior-center-new-edition-of.html

Global Market & Cafe - March 29

New England Chapel, located in Franklin, is hosting its annual community event, the Global Market and Cafe to support a number of missions around the world. The Global Market and Cafe will take place on March 29th from 6-9 PM at 140 Kenwood Circle, Franklin, MA. 

The Global Market and Cafe began as a way for individuals going on missions trips to raise funds from the community to help pay for their trip. The individuals would take a small amount of money and attempt to “multiply their talents” by baking or crafting and selling their wares in reference to the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25 in the Bible. 

In recent years New

Global Market and Cafe

England Chapel has opened up the event to the wider community, welcoming everyone to come see how the members of their community are working to help restore the world. This year’s Global Market and Cafe will support trips for ongoing development work Haiti, Hurricane Sandy rebuilding in New Jersey, a medical trip to the Dominican Republic, and an ongoing partnership with Ajulu,Uganda.

The Global Market and Cafe will have food from the different countries, live music, games for kids, crafts and other items for sale, a silent auction and more! So come check out a great community event at New England Chapel and help support causes around the globe.

For more about New England Chapel and the Global Market and Cafe
http://www.newenglandchapel.org/events-wedge-details/235033/1396134000